Meta-analyses of the relationship between conformity to masculine norms and mental health-related outcomes.

2016/11/21 by Y. Joel Wong, Moon-Ho Ringo Ho, Moon‐Ho Ringo Ho +3 · 1 voice · 33 citations
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Eating Disorders and Behaviors #Gender Roles and Identity Studies #Psychological and Temporal Perspectives Research

paper · doi:10.1037/cou0000176

openalex publication_date 2016/11/21 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01

Abstract

Despite theoretical postulations that individuals' conformity to masculine norms is differentially related to mental health-related outcomes depending on a variety of contexts, there has not been any systematic synthesis of the empirical research on this topic. Therefore, the authors of this study conducted meta-analyses of the relationships between conformity to masculine norms (as measured by the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory-94 and other versions of this scale) and mental health-related outcomes using 78 samples and 19,453 participants. Conformity to masculine norms was modestly and unfavorably associated with mental health as well as moderately and unfavorably related to psychological help seeking. The authors also identified several moderation effects. Conformity to masculine norms was more strongly correlated with negative social functioning than with psychological indicators of negative mental health. Conformity to the specific masculine norms of self-reliance, power over women, and playboy were unfavorably, robustly, and consistently related to mental health-related outcomes, whereas conformity to the masculine norm of primacy of work was not significantly related to any mental health-related outcome. These findings highlight the need for researchers to disaggregate the generic construct of conformity to masculine norms and to focus instead on specific dimensions of masculine norms and their differential associations with other outcomes. (PsycINFO Database Record

Citations

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Discussions

• A cursory perusal of the literature around "social conformity and mental illness" (my search terms) indicates that social pressure to conform to gender norms (which is exactly what you've supporting h [bsky, 0 points, 1 comments]

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